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Live blog: Chiefs v Stormers

Hello and welcome to live coverage of tonight's Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Stormers from Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 5:53:09 AM

After earning two early wins from two dogged performances the Chiefs will be hoping for much of the same tonight against a Stormers side consistently rated as one of the stingiest in the competition.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 5:56:40 AM

The South African side conceded only 13 tries throughout last year's edition and, while they have leaked four in three games this campaign, the Chiefs know the margins of victory may be small, especially while their own attack is struggling to find its fluency.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 5:56:53 AM

The Chiefs' revamped backline features three changes as Rennie's men attempt to rediscover the potency that made them top scorers last season.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 5:58:05 AM

Tom Marshall, the former Crusaders fullback or wing, will make his Chiefs debut at second-five following a hand injury. Gareth Anscombe will play his first game of the season at fullback, with midfielder Robbie Fruean moved to the bench.

Wing James Lowe makes his first start of the season, with Tim Nanai-Williams named on the other wing.

Lock Brodie Retallick returns after missing the Chiefs' narrow win over the Highlanders a fortnight ago due to concussion. The match will mark flanker Tanerau Latimer's 100th Super Rugby match.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 5:58:19 AM

Stormers captain Jean de Villiers will also run out for his 100th Super Rugby cap but they have had to make three injury enforced changes to the starting line up that lost by a point to the Crusaders last weekend.

Ruan Botha starts at lock (in place of the injured Michael Rhodes) earning his first Super Rugby cap in the process, whilst Tiaan Liebenberg (hooker) and Brok Harris (tighthead prop) come into the front row as replacements for Scarra Ntubeni (injured) and Frans Malherbe who drops down to bench.

The New Zealand HeraldThere are few things more dangerous to a gambler than emotion. - New Zealand Herald

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:10:32 AM

The Stormers are $3.50 underdogs tonight at the TAB, last weekend they were $4-1 to beat the Crusaders. The Chiefs are heavy favourites at $1.28. Who are you picking?

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:13:06 AM

Feel free to get involved in the chat tonight by clicking 'comment' and sharing your views. Who will win? Where are you tuning in from? Do you think you will lose your house in tomorrow's cyclone? I want to hear it all.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:14:28 AM

chiefs are just about unbeatable at waikato stadium.

by blues20143/14/2014 6:14:31 AM

Looking for the #Chiefs to play one off the ruck and pick and go to suck in #Stormers ,play the "hard yards" b4 unleashing the backs #ChivSto

Come on Chiefs smash the stormers with big defense and unstoppable attack, you can do it boys yeah. pumped up big time for the game.

by The Biggest Chiefs Fan Ever 3/14/2014 6:29:43 AM

We are very nearly ready to go. Just three minutes till kick off at an overcast Waikato Stadium. The wind speed is around 11 km/hr now but is likely to pick up a lot in the second half.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:32:56 AM

Jean de Villiers leads the Stormers out onto the field for his 100th cap and gets a warm, respectful reception from the Hamilton crowd.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:33:43 AM

And here come the Chiefs. Aaron Cruden leads and the cowbells, fire works and screams produce quite an entrance. Just seconds away from kick off now.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:34:24 AM

good to see anscombe back.an ab in waiting,

by blues20143/14/2014 6:34:26 AM

The Stormers get the game started and kick down toward Anscombe who is dragged into touch. Good start for the Stormers.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:35:58 AM

They win the lineout and set up a rolling maul. Making good progress now.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:36:16 AM

Penalty Stormers.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:36:22 AM

Chiefs were pinged for tackling a player in the air from the lineout and the ref came back to the advantage.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:36:59 AM

Catrakilis lines up the kick. It's good. Stormers lead 3-0.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:37:21 AM

2 MINS - CHIEFS 0 STORMERS 3

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:37:54 AM

Chiefs with possession deep in their half now and Liam Squire makes a good break.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:38:52 AM

They have a penalty advantage now as they progress up over the 22.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:39:07 AM

But the ball is lost and the Chiefs will come back for a penalty and shot at goal.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:39:31 AM

Great break and step from Squire there to set that attack up. The Chiefs backline look dangerous early on.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:40:04 AM

Cruden knocks over the penalty. 3-3.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:40:28 AM

5 MINS - CHIEFS 3 STORMERS 3

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:40:44 AM

Cruden throws a long pass out to Nanai-Williams on the right wing and it so very nearly gets intercepted by Gio Aplon.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:42:56 AM

But, he dropped it forward. Chiefs will pack a scrum 20m inside their own half.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:43:21 AM

Great set piece from the Chiefs off the back of the scrum. They gained 30m without kicking the ball before Lowe angles a nice kick into touch in the corner.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:45:05 AM

Tameifuna pinged for offside at the ruck and the Stormers have a penalty.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:45:45 AM

The re-start with a lineout on halfway and have good possession on halfway.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:46:19 AM

Tameifuna puts a huge hit on Burger in midfield. The crowd love it, the Chiefs look up for this.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:46:52 AM

But the Stormers have held onto possession, now 20 metres out.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:47:12 AM

The Chiefs turn the ball over and break down the left hand side through James Lowe. He puts a clever kick in behind but a recovering Jaco Taute does well to clear into touch.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:48:17 AM

Penalty against the Stormers now. Cruden should pick up another three.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:48:38 AM

Well, what happened there? Cruden saw a big bunch of Stormers players gathered in front of goal and so tried a kick to the sideline, I guess to try and score a try. Pretty bizarre one, never seen that before.

by Steven Holloway3/14/2014 6:50:40 AM

Anyway, the ref said "you can't do that, it has to be an honest shot at goal," and the Chiefs lost possession.